CPM claims ED has long targeted Pinarayi Vijayan in money laundering case
CPI(M) Kerala state secretary MV Govindan on Sunday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had been targeting the Left party and veteran leader Pinarayi Vijayan for a long time, and said any such move would be strongly opposed. He was speaking on the sidelines of the party's three-day extended state committee meeting.
Govindan said the recent developments were part of a plan by the ED to target former CM Vijayan. He was referring to the agency's recent letter to the state police chief seeking registration of an FIR under the Prevention of Corruption Act against Vijayan, his daughter Veena T and her husband P A Mohamed Riyas in connection with the alleged CMRL bribery case.
The CPI(M) leader said the party and the LDF had no doubts about the intentions behind the ED's move, and claimed that central agencies had been targeting Opposition leaders across the country.
Asked whether the meeting would adopt any resolution on the issue, Govindan said the possibility would be examined. The extended state committee meeting has been called to discuss ways to overcome the setbacks suffered by the Left party after its defeat in the Assembly election this year.
Earlier this week, Vijayan had accused the ED of targeting him in its money laundering probe into the CMRL bribery case by now levelling corruption allegations against him.
The ED has sent a letter to DGP Ravada A Chandrasekhar seeking registration of an FIR against Vijayan, Veena, son-in-law Riyas and some others, based on "evidence" gathered during its probe and searches conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
The ED has alleged that Cochin Minerals and Rutile Ltd made fraudulent payments of Rs 2.78 crore to Veena's now-defunct company, Exalogic Solutions, under the guise of "IT consultancy services".
The federal agency searched premises linked to Veena, who was living with Vijayan at a rented accommodation in Thiruvananthapuram, in June and later questioned her. The ED's letter and the allegations in the CMRL case have now become a fresh flashpoint for the CPI(M), with Govindan reiterating that the party will oppose the agency's move.- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Sep 13, 2026 11:04 IST
